A few “rotten apples” have tarnished the reputation of the Fiji Police Force, according to Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua, who emphasized that the majority of officers are good.
Speaking on The Lens@177 this week, Mr. Tikoduadua mentioned that officers had been held accountable for their actions.
“Some have been arrested, some taken to court, but the majority of the police are good,” he said. “Unfortunately, it’s the small rotten apples that create a negative impression about any organization, including the police.”
He dismissed rumors that the Counter Narcotics Bureau was established because the police could not be trusted to handle the job.
Mr. Tikoduadua explained that drug-related crimes are a transnational issue and affect Fiji significantly because not enough had been done about it previously. “It’s not about the police. It just means that the Government has recognized the need for a dedicated authority that focuses solely on narcotics,” he added.
He clarified that the police reset would address any past issues but emphasized that the Government’s leading role in tackling drug crimes would be guided by the Counter Narcotics Strategy. “Given the nature of the threats we face, a dedicated capability is necessary,” he said.
He reassured the police that this new bureau did not mean duplicating their work and noted that the police would still be part of the bureau. He explained that in certain situations, the police, based on the information they receive, would conduct raids.
“We must ensure that the work of the police and the Counter Narcotics Bureau does not conflict. They are supposed to complement each other, not work against each other,” he stated. “Our standard operating procedure will address that.”
Regarding the $2 million allocation towards establishing the bureau, he acknowledged it as a good start but admitted it was “not enough.” He stressed that while more funding would be beneficial, the ultimate solution lies within the community to stop drug consumption.
“If we take care of that, the bureau becomes irrelevant. But that’s a really big wish,” he concluded.